New place to Ride Dirt - Durhamtown Tellico

 

Located just across the Tennessee / North Carolina state line,near Murphy N.C. Durhamtown Tellico is a new, 3000 acre, privately owned, pay to ride area which incorporates some of the old trail system that was popular years ago. If you aren't familiar with Durhamtown Plantation in Georgia, it is one of the most popular, and well run riding areas in the southeast. I think it is very promising that the same model is being used in the Tellico area. Years ago the Tellico area was wide open for riding and off roading, but over time overuse of trails by larger vehicles contributed to the closing of nearly all trails in the National forest on the Tennessee side.

Durhamtown Tellico is just getting started, and it appears that its main appeal is to Jeeps, Side by Sides, ATVs and of course dirt bikes. 

The park is open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and at this point only primitive camping is available. For dirt bikes the price is $21 for the first day, and $16 for the second day. A map is provided when you check in. According to the website they have over 40 miles of trails. 40 miles may not sound like much, but if its as rocky and steep as I remember, you aren't going to be running a very fast pace. The original Durhamtown Plantation has really nice amenities, and my guess is they have some big plans for Durhamtown Tellico.Check out their website for updates. www.durhamtowntellico.com

Metal Rescue - A must for any person restoring an old bike

I'll admit it, I'm a total garage nerd, and a sucker for nifty products and tools that can enhance my "Quality Garage Time". This is definitely one of those products. If you mess around with old bikes you have no doubt spent time getting the rust off of old parts with a combination of WD-40, a wire brush, and finger tip skin. Those days are over.
Metal Rescue is an environmentally safe product that literally dissolves the rust away. You just drop in the rusted part, let it soak for a period of time (the worse the rust, the longer you soak it), and presto, the rust is gone.

Another benefit is that it doesn't remove any of the metal. I needed to get the rust off of my old Triumph rotors and didn't want to damage the finish. As you can see in these before and after photos, Metal Rescue just made all the rust go away.

If you have a handlful of old rusted nuts and bolts, just let them soak over night. The worst you will have to do is hit them with a still brush to knock off the loose stuff. It's bio-degradable, non-toxic, and non-flammable, plus, you can reuse it.  I just filtered out what I used and poured it back into the container. I think that I have seen competitors come out with a similar product (WD-40 has one), but Metal Rescue is the only one I can vouch for at this point. I bought mine through Summit Racing supply. More info can be found at www.workshophero.com

"Why We Ride" Showing in K-Town Dec 8th

Billed by many as the next classic motorcycle documentary, "Why we ride" is being compared to a modern day "On Any Sunday". If its is anywhere close to that good it will be a great movie. An independently financed film, it is set to be released internationally in 2014. To qualify for an early showing in Knoxville there had to be a number of tickets pre-sold, and thanks to the motorcycle community in Knoxville there have been. So next Sunday, December 8th at 2:00 it will be showing at the Wynnsong 6 Theater on North Peters Road, behind Lowes. It's rated PG, so its safe for the kids. I predict the theater will be packed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juZ_kUFaDSA

Biker Rags 19th Anniversary - November 10th

 

Saturday November 10th, Bikers Rags in Knoxville will be celebrating its 19th Anniversary. It should be a big party.  There will be an Antique Motorcycle show, Swap Meet, and Free Food. WIMZ radio 103.5 will be there doing a live remote. The bike show is not a judged show, just a show off. Bikes should be 1979 or older, and the show will go from 1 till 3. No fee to show your bike. There is also no charge to set up for the swap meet. Set up begins at 10am. Surviving for 19 years is a big deal, come by and help the owners Jeff and Pam celebrate! www.bikerrags.com - 693-5808

Places to Camp and Ride in East Tennessee - Trails End Campground, Huntsville Tn

Trails End Campground is located in Huntsville, Tennessee, right at the trail entry into the Brimstone Off-Road Recreation Area and the TWRA managed North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Basically you have access to aver 140,000 acres of trails. You can ride directly out of your campsite, no need to trailer to the trailhead. The Brimstone Riding area, and the TWRA area are both pay to ride areas, and under separate management, so you will need a permit for each, or whichever one you decide to ride.

Trails End has 26 RV sites with full hookups, as well as lots of primitive (no hookup) sites. The campground is set on a 140 Acre farm, so unless it is  one of the 2 weekends a year when there is a large event going on (check their schedule), there is plenty of space for privacy.

For more information check out their website. www.camptrailsend.com 

Vintage Motorcycle Ride in Show @ Hollerpalooza Saturday, Sept 14th

There is a Vintage Motorcycle Ride in Show as part of the Happy Hollerpalooza Street Fair on North Central  this Saturday, September 14th. Everyone who brings in a bike that is at least 25 years old will be eligible. Over $250 in prizes will be given out. The Street Fair starts at 12:00 and last till 5:00. Riders should show up by 11:30, but late arrivals are OK. Bikes will park on Anderson Street. There is no charge to enter. Get that old iron out! No one can see it in your garage!

Places to camp and ride in East Tennessee - Brimstone Recreation Area

The Brimstone Recreation Area is located in Huntsville Tn, and over the past 10 years has evolved into one of the more popular riding areas in the East. The Brimstone riding area is privately leased land, with over 300 miles of trails. The trails on the Brimestone area also connect to adjacent lands, some of which are public gravel roads, and some that are part of the TWRA Wildlife management area (which requires a seperate permit).
Brimstone recently opened up not just a campground, with full hookups, but also rental cabins and campers. All of which are located at the start of the trail system.
Reservations are recommended.Their website is www.brimstonerecreation.com